"Fo understands the power of comedy in that really sophisticated ideas are best expressed through sheer farce or humour", says Mike.

"He is a great writer, and one of my favourites - he won a Nobel prize a couple of years ago. He's first and foremost a performer - he loves actors and has a great suspicion of directors! I hope he wouldn't be suspicious of me!" "I relish the freedom Fo offers through his work; we're loving it!"

Mike believes his role as director isn't simply to tell people where to stand - he regards himself very much as a facilitator, giving actors the opportunity to perform well.

"What I always want to do is to liberate the actors so that they can create a "life" on stage - one off, individual and private. Directors only ever open the door. It's the actors who step through into another life, taking their audience with them."